President Donald Trump ignited controversy by abruptly firing Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following a disappointing July jobs report that showed only 73,000 new jobs added—far below expectations. The report also revised May and June figures downward by over 250,000 jobs combined.
Trump, speaking to reporters and posting on Truth Social, claimed the numbers were “phony” and “rigged” to damage his administration politically. He accused McEntarfer, a Biden appointee confirmed by the Senate in 2024 with bipartisan support, of manipulating data for partisan purposes—though he offered no evidence
The BLS, long considered a gold standard for impartial economic data, routinely revises figures as more information becomes available. Economists and former officials swiftly condemned the firing, warning it undermines public trust in federal statistics. Former BLS Commissioner William Beach called the accusation “preposterous,” and ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said the move went “beyond anything Nixon ever did”.
McEntarfer, a career economist with two decades of federal service, responded by calling her tenure “the honor of my life.” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced that Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski would serve as acting head while a replacement is sought.
The firing has sparked debate over political interference in economic reporting, with critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent. Trump maintains the decision was necessary to ensure “fair and accurate” data, but many fear it could erode confidence in one of the government’s most trusted institutions.
